NanoenergeticsNanoenergetics WorkshopWorkshopRutgers University, 28 February 2008Rutgers University, 28 February 2008

Presented by:Presented by:Paul RednerPaul RednerChemical EngineerChemical EngineerRDECOMRDECOM--ARDECARDEC973973--724724--97949794

How Can Nanotechnology How Can Nanotechnology Benefit the Army?Benefit the Army?

• Novel functionality enabling capabilities in survivability, lethality, sustainability not previously accessible by system designers/planners

• Nano-engineered materials with better strength-to-mass ratio for structural applications

• Nanostructured propellants/explosives for improved and controlled energy release rate for energetics

RDECOM as an Enterprise

“Winning at New Products” & “Product Leadership” by Robert Cooper

Innovative business models

Linked to Consortia

ARDECARDEC’’ss Nanopowder Processing Nanopowder Processing FacilityFacility

• The only facility in the DoD able to safely produce, prototype and manufacture pilot-scale quantities of nano enhanced structural components and energetic formulations.

• Strong partnerships with industry, academia and OGAs already formed.

• Adding capability will position ARDEC as the provider for production-scale quantities of the most promising metals and ceramics for military and dual-use applications

• Disruptive Technology• Prevention of Single Point Failures

UNCLASSIFIED

As of 13 Dec 06

NanomaterialsNanomaterials Technology CenterTechnology Center

Current/Future Customer Base:• Hardened Combined Effects Warheads ATO• Novel Energetics ATO• High-Powered Microwave ATO• Standoff Mine/IED Defeat ATO• STAR ATO• Tunable Pyrotechnics ATO• EAPS ATO• OGAs and Industry• PEO AMMO/PMs

Highlights:-ARDEC nano Aluminum performed equal to a commercial

powder for the green primer application. A through qualification is in progress at SDSM&T.

-ARDEC nano Aluminum is being tested for the LEI application. The results look very promising.

-Excellent initial results on ARDEC's efforts to develop alternate materials/technology for M211 flares/counter-measures (Nano iron and other materials)

-Installed second nanopowder fabrication system for ceramic nanopowders for survivability enhancement (armor) and other applications

-Nano B4C powder supplied to MIT (for Soldiers Nanotechnology Program) considered one of the best they have received and are now looking forSiN

-Installed FESEM and LVEM-Establishing CRADA with BASF and others-Provide nanopowder samples to OGAs and National Labs

Overview:Purpose: Develop pilot-scale quantities of functional nano and nanostructuredmaterials.to provide enhanced lethality and survivability to the Warfighter. Full characterization of these materials.Product:Advanced material solutions. These materials are defined as either nanophase or nanostructured materials that have basic characteristics of strength, reactivity, and insensitivity significantly enhanced beyond that of micron-sized materials. These attributes are tunable.Payoff:More powerful, IM-compliant explosives and propellants with tailored propertiesNovel pyrotechnicsSuperior warhead and penetrator materialsLightweight, multifunctional structural composites for armorNanomaterials for energy, sensing, photonics, and functional coating

Nano Al Nano B4C

Sensitivity Issues

• High sensitivity to both ESD and friction• Coating must be fully be applied to all

surfaces• One uncoated particle is all it takes to

sensitize a sample.• Must understand the relationship between

level of sensitivity required and application that the material is being tailored for.

Processing/Handling Issues

• Separations– From impurities– From solvents

• Coating– Nanomaterials tend to agglomerate– High surface area makes a relatively simple

process hard to accomplish• Storage/Aging

– Humidity – Solvents– Components stored separately vs. mixed

Scalability/Reproducibility Issues

• Dispersion of materials– Useful intermediate

• Particle size distribution of raw materials– Variability among different producers– Tunability is dependent on “accuracy” of the PSD of

the material– Large amount of time can be consumed on tightening

the distribution• Lab-to-fab is a HUGE step

– “Valley of Death” has to be crossed by many processes due to movement from small, controlled process into larger process

– Can we expect the same results as we scale up?– If not, what can we do to correct that?

Health Concerns

• Debate for this subject is escalating• Much is still unknown about the effects

(long- and short-term) of nanomaterials in general

• Concerns are legitimate, however:• How do we best cooperate with those who

have a legitimate approach to this problem?• How do we allay the fears of those who

have already written nanotech off as a threat?

Standardize

• Standardization of Characterization– Develop standard suite to quantify sensitivity and

performance– Collect info on all current characterization methods

and rate their applicability to characterize certain performance standards

– Round-robin of materials– Relate performance and sensitivity data to material

characteristics• There is currently no “right” way to evaluate

materials• Apply to sensitivity, performance and aging• Can we run all relevant tests at one facility?

Make the Materials Useful

• Establish formal partnerships to address key processing issues.

• Particle size– Processing parameters– Separation techniques

• “Goodness of mix”– Combine materials processing with coating and

dispersion techniques; evaluate– Mini-TSE jointly designed by Stevens Tech– Better understanding of surface chemistry

• Maintain nanostructure in components– Spark plasma sintering at ARDEC

• Modeling and Simulation

Address all Parts of the Value Chain

• Must provide the world with a better understanding of nanoscience and technology

• Establishing prototyping capabilities for transition into DoD systems

• Develop manufacturing science necessary for transition into Industrial Base

• Better connections between academia and PEO requirements

Reality

• Must think “dual-use” applications• MUST lower cost through process

optimization and scale-up.• Establish CRADAs to make technology

transfer smoother so we can get new materials to the Warfighter quickly

• May have to accept trade-offs as we move to a larger scale if we plan to insert nanotech into the mainstream.

Acknowledgements

• Deepak Kapoor• Darold Martin• Dr. Moon Chung• Mike Natalicchio• Rajen Patel• Gartung Cheng• Neha Mehta• Ted Dolch• Steven Nicolich• The Gangopadhyays• The Team at Missouri• Dr. Dilhan Kalyon

• Dr. Edward Dreizin• The Team at NJIT• Dr. Jan Puszynski• The Team at SDSMT• Mark Mezger• John Theis• Mike Los• Dan Tolliver• Mike Wrazen• Dr. Chris Haines• Rao Surapaneni